Brandl Scholars

The John Brandl Scholars program celebrates St. John's alumnus John E. Brandl and his lifelong commitment to mentorship and scholarship in higher education, public policy and politics.

The endowment funds summer internships in public policy and leadership development activities such as conferences and trainings. These internships will range from local to international policy arenas, reflecting Dr. Brandl's diverse career and CSB/SJU's commitment to ethical leadership and the common good.

Brandl Scholars receive $4,000 summer stipends and are offered select invitations for McCarthy Center events and mini grants to cover travel or other expenses related to civic or scholarly engagement. Students will work full-time for 8-10 weeks depending on the needs of their internship site. Students may elect to earn credits but will have to pay for these and will be assessed on an individual basis. Graduating seniors are not eligible.

2015-2016 Brandl Scholars:

Jake Patrick Collins

I will use the John Brandi Scholarship toward an internship this summer in the Office of Mexican Affairs at the US Department of State. I am excited to begin using my passion for US-Mexico relations to bring more awareness and understanding of Mexico and Latin America into the policy discussions in our nation's capitol. I know this experience will be an incredible stepping stone and will help mold me into a policy advocate who is able to lead the next generation of public servants and who lives out the values of John Brandl. One day, I hope to be in a position to change the story of the Americas. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to have this wonderful opportunity of spending a summer in Washington, D.C.

Anna Cron

This summer I will be interning in Washington, D.C. I am currently studying abroad in Guatemala and seeking intern opportunities at offices such as the Latin American Working Group, Guatemalan Human Rights Commission, Caribbean-Central American Action, and U.S. Department of State. This internship would enable me to use my international experience and Spanish abilities to work on U.S.- Latin America policy. This is the type of work I hope to pursue in the future, and am thankful for the Brandl Scholarship's help in achieving my long-term goals. I am thankful for the opportunity to intern in our nation's capital where I can use the skills I gain in the classroom towards making positive societal change.

Jerly Alcala Gomez

I plan to use the Brandl Scholarship in either a public health related area or a refugee assistance program. I am interested in aiding immigrant or impoverished communities receive basic aide to help them become self-sufficient. The first program is located in Capilla de Guadalupe, Mexico, "El Seguro", where I would work at a government funded clinic assisting a doctor in basic procedures as well as aide the variety of patients the clinic oversees. The second program is part of Catholic Community Services, "International Rescue Committee", located in Salt Lake City. The program focuses on helping refugees settle down in American lifestyle by aiding them in writing resumes to find jobs, teaching English, how to get around, etc. In both of these internships I would utilize both my English and Spanish skills, as well skills I have gained from my education here at CSB/SJU. I am blessed to have received this scholarship and I am positive it will impact the community in which I intern.

Tiffany Peplinski

Charles Pults

Thanks to the John Brandl Scholarship, I have an opportunity this summer to hopefully work for Senator Amy Klobuchar's office. This will give me a chance to witness the behind-the- scenes work of how the legislative process works. The potential with this scholarship is endless, and I will learn how to work in a professional setting in Washington, D.C., for one of the newest members of leadership within the U.S. Senate. I hope to one day work as a criminal defense attorney and this internship will provide me with the skills needed to run a successful operation in the D.C. area.

Beth Richmond

This summer, I will use my Brandl Scholarship to intern with the City of Eau Claire Planning Division. In the future, I hope to become an urban planner. Working in a city planning office this summer is an excellent place to learn more about policy issues and practical skills that will be important for my career. I am very thankful for the Brandl Scholarship for helping me to gain the experience necessary for my continued education and future career.

Edwin Torres

This summer I have the privilege to intern for Congresswoman Janice Hahn in her congressional office in Washington, D.C. This experience will help me determine my goals, test drive my major and refine my career aspirations. Not only will I gain a better understanding of how Congress works and how it affects citizens, but I can use its vast resources to connect with young American leaders in the government, NGOS, public companies and learn about the unlimited possibilities to serve my community and how these different sectors intersect. The John Brandl Scholarship is enabling me to purse my dreams, by providing me with the funds necessary to participate in the Washington, D.C., Summer Internship Program. Without this scholarship I would not be able to intern in Washington, D.C. and for that I am very grateful.

Alex Wald

I have the incredible opportunity to intern at various prestigious sites in Washington D.C. this summer. The beauty of the John Brandl Scholarship is that it allows you to gain the experiences and skills through an unpaid internship with a governmental or non-governmental agency, while still having your living costs covered for the summer. I hope to use the Brandl Scholarship to further my career aspirations by interning at an economic research organization or lobbying group, many of which do not normally take undergraduate interns. Some day, in-between advocating for a stronger education system and ethical trade agreements, I hope to use my experiences to open up doors for future Bennies and Johnnies in the same way that John Brandl and the Whalen family is currently doing for me!

Mai Tong Yang

I plan to use the John Brandl Scholarship towards an internship in the 2015 Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program. Hopefully I will get to work in public policy or with an organization that focus on civic engagement. I am honored to use the John Brandl Scholarship towards a field where it can make positive changes in local communities. As an advocate for minority and low-income family rights, the Brandl has given me the opportunity to contribute my knowledge and skills outside of the CSB/SJU community!

Apply to be a Brandl Scholar:

In 2015, a total of nine Brandl Scholarships will be awarded. Brandl Scholarships will be awarded to students in the CSB/SJU Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program, one will fund a student internship at the Citizens League in St. Paul, and several will fund a public policy internship anywhere in the world.

Students will be selected based on the following items:1. A cover letter explaining student interest and the policy area or topic upon which the student would hope to focus. In addition, the cover letter must state that students will not have any other employment if awarded this fellowship.*Important note on site placement: One of the Brandl Scholars will be placed at the Citizens League in St. Paul, MN. The applicant should indicate if he or she has a strong interest to be placed with the Citizens League; if not the applicant should propose three other site locations of interest to them.2. Resume indicating relevant class or other training , relevant paid and unpaid work/volunteer experiences, conferences or workshps attended, honors and awards, public talks or media involvement, and other skills such as languages or computer skills3. Current unofficial transcript4. Recent writing sample5. Finalists may be interviewed